Causes of Obesity and Prevention (Essay Sample)

Your Name Supervisor Name Course Name Due Date Causes of Obesity and Prevention Perhaps one of the most prevalent medical conditions in developed economies today, obesity has become a global phenomenon and has been increasingly identified as a health problem worldwide. In the United States, obesity among the aging population between 50 to 59 years has increased by eight percentage points to 25 percent between the years 1998 and 2004 placing it at the top of the list of the most obese countries in the world (Vasunilashorn et al. 4). Although heredity also plays a role, obesity is primarily caused by the excessive consumption of calories present in sugary and fatty foods and can be prevented by simple actions such as engaging in physical activities and consuming a calory-controlled and balanced diet. Obesity results from a combination of different factors such as calorie intake, physical activities, and diet content. In cultures where people prefer relatively cheap and high-calorie-content diets such as fast food which have high fat and sugar content, obesity rates tend to be higher. These foods promote addictive eating patterns which result in the accumulation of fats in the body and consequently higher Body Mass Index (BMI). To reduce the chances of becoming obese, one needs to eat balanced diets that contain fiber and other vital nutrients required to break down fats into energy. Furthermore, engagement in physical activities such as running and physical games can reduce the rate of fat accumulation in the body and lower the risk of obesity. In conclusion, obesity is one of the major health problems in the world today resulting from behavioral differences across different commu...